Matija Nastasic nears Manchester City switch with Javi Garcia also an option

Manchester City are closing in on a deal for Fiorentina defender Matija Nastasic, while also weighing up a bid for Benfica star Javi Garcia.

Nast-y boy: Serbia’s Matija Nastasic is on City’s radar (Picture: AP)

City boss Roberto Mancini is desperate to add some depth to his squad in the final days of the transfer window, and after talks with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak this week, he has been granted permission to go on a late spending spree.

The first of a mini clutch of arrivals is likely to be talented Fiorentina centre back Nastasic, after Mancini failed to land top defensive target Daniel Agger .

The 19-year-old is highly rated by City staff, and according to reports in Italy, talks over a £12 million switch with Stefan Savic heading to Italy on-loan are already progressing.

But City are not stopping there, with a move for Benfica midfielder Javi Garcia also in the pipeline, after positive talks with his agent about a transfer.

Benfica are unwilling to part with Garcia easily, but it’s thought an offer in excess of £17 million would be enough to prise him away from the Portuguese side.

While those deals are being worked on, Mancini hopes to free up some cash by selling Edin Dzeko and Nigel de Jong to interested Italian clubs, and also wants fringe strikers Roque Santa Cruz and John Guidetti to play elsewhere next season.